Hope in Darkness: Rachmaninoff and the Russian Revolution
A Selection of Early 20th Century Works for Solo Piano by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
During the height of the Russian Revolution and in the midst of the First World War, Rachmaninoff wrote some of the most revered of his compositions for solo piano, including all 24 of his Preludes and both collections of Etudes-Tableaux. Given that these pieces were written in the shadow of widespread suffering, it is incredible to find in them serenity and passionate love. This can only but speak of the power of music to offer Hope in the midst of darkness.
Michael Ortiz, a native of Berkeley, CA and a graduate of the University of California at Davis, has spent time as classical pianist, teacher, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and theatrical performer. He will perform selections from Rachmaninoff’s Etudes-Tableaux, op. 39., and Preludes, op. 23 and 32.